Ciliam
When VPLP launched Ciliam in 2003, the idea was to produce a fast sailing catamaran which was comfortable both inside and out. With this in mind, instead of a traditional coachroof, the firm decided on a superstructure which covered the entire main deck, a veritable innovation in those days. The result was an extremely spacious […]
Géant
Géant was the last trimaran of the 2000–02 generation designed by VPLP for skipper Michel Desjoyeaux, who had the 2002 Route du Rhum in his sights. The deadline was tight and the discussions between the architects and the recent victor of the Vendée Globe were very productive. There was nothing revolutionary about her structure, it being an assemblage of parts made in the moulds of her six predecessors.
Geronimo
Geronimo then Sodebo Ultim then Actual Leader then Brest Ultim Sailing Commissioned for Olivier de Kersauson and built at the Multiplast yard in 2001, Geronimo prefigured the new generation of record-breaking machines of over 100’ – soon to be known as “Ultims” – that VPLP was beginning to design in the first couple of years […]
Gitana 11
Belgacom II then Gitana 11 then Ultim’Emotion
Douce France
At her launch in 1998, after almost a decade in design and construction, Douce France was the world’s largest cruising catamaran with an LOA of 138’ (42 m) and a beam of 50’6” (15.4 m), a record now held by Hemisphere.
Groupama 1
Groupama 1 then HIQ then Sjovillan then Akron Aoton.
Lagoon 2nd generation
The second generation of Lagoons, which includes the 410, 470, 380 and 570, is a continuation of the first with the focus on comfort. VPLP opted for a coachroof with vertical glazing for the 410 and higher, the previous solution being sloped windows and streamlining.
Waterworld
After Florence Arthaud’s victory in the 1994 Route du Rhum on the trimaran Pierre 1er, VPLP was commissioned by Universal to design and build the boat used by the main character in the film Waterworld.
L’Hydroptère
The Hydroptère project was an extraordinary story spanning almost twenty-five years and one of VPLP’s oldest collaborations. Managed by Alain Thébault, working tirelessly in the wake of Eric Tabarly, the project was first discussed back in the 1980s. However it took until 1994 for the Hydroptère to be finally commissioned. Originally the idea was to build a foiling tall ship that could break ocean sailing records. Over time, however, the goal of the project shifted towards setting sailing-speed records.
Primagaz
RMO then Primagaz then Foncia then Bayer then Rexona then Région Guadeloupe
